Quinoa Nutrition Facts

Quinoa is a little known seed in the United States. However, it has been used for thousands of years in South America. The grains of Quinoa have been a staple food for South American Indians. Quinoa was associated with their native religion and as such, it was not seen with good eyes by Spaniards conquerors. Thus, the cultivation of Quinoa was forbidden after colonization and almost disappeared from Earth.

Quinoa is a small grain. It can be cooked and incorporated in salads, soups, and omelette's. Quinoa seeds are rich in rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.

Quinoa seeds have protein of good quality

Contrary to traditional grains such as rice or corn, quinoa grains have all the amino acids needed for a good quality nutrition. Quinoa seeds have an acceptable protein content and its protein is of a very good quality. In fact, all 10 essential aminoacids are present in quinoa seeds. Among them, lysine, an aminoacid deficient in traditional cereals such as wheat and corn. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National database on nutrients, 1 cup of quinoa has 16% of the recommended daily value for protein..

Quinoa: a good source of minerals

The USDA National database on nutrients indicates that you can get 50% of the mineral that you need by eating one serving of cooked quinoa seeds. Minerals get your body going strong since these minerals are involved in a myriad of biochemical reactions. Also, minerals are involved in bone health and in maintaining a good immunological system.

Quinoa and essential fatty acids

Quinoa fatty acids composition is very good. I would say it's excellent! Quinoa seeds are an excellent source of linoleic and oleic acids which are know to have great effects on human health. The USDA refers that you can get 1.5 g oleic fatty acid in 1 cup of quinoa seeds (cooked).

Quinoa and vitamins

Quinoa seeds represent an excellent source of many vitamins including vitamins B, riboflavin, and thiamine One cup of quinoa seeds give you 20% of what your daily needs of folate, another important vitamin needed for good health

Quinoa is a good source of nutrients including proteins, healthy good fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Certainly, quinoa seeds would be a good choice for your healthy eating habits.

Sources:

The New Oxford Book of Food Plants. 2009. By John Vaughan and Catherine Gisele. Oxford University Press, ISBN 019954946X.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/